Emoticon convergence in Internet chat rooms

Fullwood, C ORCID: 0000-0002-7714-6783, Orchard, L J and Floyd, S A (2013) Emoticon convergence in Internet chat rooms. Social Semiotics, 23 (5). pp. 648-662. doi:10.1080/10350330.2012.739000

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Abstract

The present study examines sex and age differences in the use of emoticons (graphic representations of facial expressions) in Internet chat rooms. Data were collected from four Noesis chat rooms (‘18 plus’, ‘30-something’, ‘40- something’ and ‘50 plus’). Although women were more likely than men to use emoticons, there was no difference between the sexes in the range of emoticons used. The fact that men expressed a similar range of emoticons to women implies a general convergence towards female expression in mixed-sex communication contexts. Chat room users without a profile picture were also more likely to use winking emoticons. This may be because these types of emoticons are more flirtatious in intent, and it is easier for chatters to engage in risky communications when they are less identifiable. Furthermore, age had little bearing on the uptake of emoticons as well as the types of emoticons expressed. We draw upon Communication Accommodation Theory to help explain why emotional expression may converge in the chat room context.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	chat rooms; emoticons; convergence; sex differences; age differences
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Science
Research Priority Areas:	Health, Life Sciences, Sport and Wellbeing
Depositing User:	Chris Fullwood
Date Deposited:	11 Nov 2022 15:29
Last Modified:	31 Aug 2023 09:05
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/11780

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